WORLD PREMIERE OF A PETER RABBIT MUSCAL
INTERVIEW: ANTHONY GRUPPUSO
BY RYAN M. LUÉVANO
Storybook Theatre is in its 35th consecutive season of providing wholesome family entertainment, produced under a union (Actors Equity) contract, making it the oldest local company to do so. All of its shows are tailored to young children (ages 3 to 9) and their families. Currently playing is The Adventures of Peter Rabbit, their first brand-new show in ten years. This new musical is an adaption of the classic story by Beatrix Potter. Book and lyrics are by Anthony Gruppuso and music is by Matt Dahan. In this Tin Pan L.A. exclusive Anthony Gruppuso discusses the creation of this new musical and what audiences can expect from this family friendly telling of Peter Rabbit.
How would you describe your musical in a nutshell?
I would describe The Adventures of Peter Rabbit as fun for generations of family with children Three to Twelve years of age.
What inspired you to write this story as a musical? Why tell this story?
StoryBook Theatre had not done a new musical in 20 years.We have 18 original musicals that are rotated so for years we were looking for a new title to work with but had exhausted all the known Fairy tales. Then on a Friday afternoon I heard “The Book Report” from “You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown” and it was if the universe was sending me a message when I heard the lyric …the name of the book about which this book report is about is Peter Rabbit… I googled it and found it was now in public domain and the first was ignited.
How would you describe Matt Dahan’s music for this show?
Matt Dahan’s music is so exciting and catchy, at times I find it reminiscent of Randy Newman. You will defiantly walk out of this show humming one if not all of the songs. I never know what I am going to wake up singing.
How has the show been shaped in the rehearsal process?
With StoryBook because we work under an Equity TYA contract. we have very little rehearsal time. We put this show up in 20 hours. The actors come to rehearsal off book so we can really work on the specifics of the show. The changes made were with dialogue and adding extra music but other than that we stuck to what was on the page.
What is your favorite moment in the show?
There are several, but I would have to say the “Sibling Rivalry Number” any one that ever had a sibling can relate to this song and the message in the song is from the heart.
What excites you most about this show?
What excites me most is the audiences reaction. Especially seeing how involved the parents are, it is a pleasure to not see them texting or sitting there watching their children etc bored out of there gourd , and then belly laughing at some of the jokes and antics of the characters of the show.
What can audiences expect from your show?
Audiences can expect to be entertained no matter there age but the key is to watch the children who came with them get the opportunity to be a part of the show.
Any final thoughts about the show you’d like to share?
The Story of Peter Rabbit, as are most fairy-tales and children’s stories of that era is quite dark. The only things we have kept from the original story are the character names, adding a new Character Nana Bunny, the cabbage patch and that Peter looses his coat. Everything else is all new.
TICKETS AND MORE INFORMATION
WHEN: October 5, 2019- March 22, 2020. Saturdays at 1:00 p.m.
ADMISSION: $15 all seats.
RESERVATIONS: (818) 761-2203.
ONLINE TCIKETING: www.theatrewest.org
